Theory 37/Tissue/Tissue hydration
Hydration Balances Osmosis and Elasticity
The claim
Tissue water content is set by the ratio of osmotic pressure to elastic resistance, so a stiff matrix holds less water at the same osmotic load.
01Mechanism
Water enters until swelling pressure matches matrix tension; the ratio sets the equilibrium.
02Prediction
Hydration should track the ratio.
03Refutation
Hydration tracking osmotic load would remove stiffness.